By any measure, Bryce Harper’s rookie season was a resounding success. He became the youngest position player to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award and the youngest position player to make an All-Star team. His 22 homers were the second-most by a teenager, and his 98 runs scored led the Washington Nationals.

So what’s next? Improving on his debut season won’t be easy, but there is reason to believe Harper will be better in his second season. Three reasons:

Bryce Harper hit 22 homers and .270 last season and was named the NL rookie of the year. (AP Photo)

He already has proved he can make adjustments. Harper hit .279 in his first 50 games but managed only a .216 average in his second 50 games as pitchers exploited his willingness to chase outside pitches. But over the final six weeks of the regular season, Harper did a much better job of hitting his pitch. In his final 38 games, he batted .333 with 10 homers.

He already has played in big games. Harper went 1-for-18 in the Nationals’ first four playoff games before tripling and homering in a losing effort of Game 5 of the NLDS. The numbers are forgettable. What will be remembered is the experience. Any player can tell you that the second time through the playoffs is more enjoyable than the first.

“You’re a little over-amped the first time,” said teammate Mark DeRosa, 38, who appeared in his first of seven postseason series in 2001. “Your next time, keeping it as routine-oriented as you do in the regular season is easier.”

He already has made the team. Not having to spend spring training being bombarded with questions about when he might be called up to the majors should allow Harper to focus more of his time on the field. The key question this spring likely will be about his place in the batting order. Manager Davey Johnson has hinted that Harper might move into the middle of the order.

“He could move out of that No. 2 hole,” Johnson says. “He had a good year last year, but I think he’s going to have a breakout year coming up.”